There has been a significant increase in the use of solar technology with more people now seeing the benefits of investing in the best portable solar panel available. This source of power has seen a lot of new opportunities that people are just starting to realize can enhance various aspects of the lifestyle. Portable solar panels can be used to power homes or campers or to charge small portable devices such as laptops and phones.
If you are a fan of camping or just want to be prepared with a secondary source of power at your home, then a portable solar panel is a great investment. These systems allow you to harness power from sunlight even while in the move. They are an excellent asset to power your home or camping trips. Considering that it might be difficult to select a suitable portable solar panel from the wide selection available, our reviews of the top ten best portable solar panels for your home will help you get one that suits your needs best.
List of The Best Portable Solar Panels for Home in Reviews
#1. Renogy Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit
Product at a Glance:
- 100W
- 30A PWM Negative ground charge controller
- Expandable to 400W
- Ideal output of 500Wh per day
- Can fully charge a 50Ah battery
The Renogy 100W Solar Power Starter Kit is an ideal choice for your off-grid applications. The unit will provide you with grid independence and quiet power for your RV, boat, trailer, or cabin. Having a monocrystalline or polycrystalline or monocrystalline solar panel kit will allow you to extend your power supply more than ever before.
Also, it features a negative grounding controller that ensures you get broader off-grid applications safely, more so if you use it on a vehicle that has battery negative on the chassis.
Best For: Perfect for people wanting to get a start in solar
#2. HQST Polycrystalline Solar Panel
Product at a Glance:
- 100W
- Corrosion-resistant
- Ideal output of500Wh per day
- Can withstand extreme weather
- Expandable
The HQST 100 is a 12V Polycrystalline solar panel that will enhance your comfort as you travel or camp outdoors. This unit has a durable build that will last for decades without replacement while braving the harsh elements. Also, it offers you a substantial amount of power daily given the right weather conditions.
The solar panel can offer you up to 500-watt-hour per day under ideal weather conditions, which makes it ideal for RVs. The device has a waterproof junction box as well as MC4 leads at the back, which makes it easy to use. You can use the panel alone, or you can use it together with other panels to create your custom system.
Best For: Perfect for people who need a panel to power their RV’s.
#3. Goal Zero Nomad 20 Solar Panel
Product at a Glance:
- Chaining technology
- Compatibility to other Goal Zero power packs
- Easy to fold and transport
- Durable
The Nomad 20 is the ideal choice for you if you are looking for an effective and powerful portable solar panel to use for outdoor activities. The unit features not only a sleek and innovative design, but also a durable build that guarantees you long term use.
Also, the device uses chaining technology, which helps you reduce the charging time of your device and thus have efficient and fast access to your power. For the best results, you can pair it with a Goal Zero power pack and start charging your electronics anytime you need to. The unit is also foldable and easy to transport to all the locations you visit.
Best For: Foldable and portable for use anywhere
#4. ALLPOWERS Solar Panel
Product at a Glance:
- Durable
- Bendable panel
- 100 Watts
- Lightweight
The ALLPOWERS solar panel will allow you to enjoy better power efficiency with a panel that is no larger than a traditional model. Its durability is guaranteed by a water-resistant semi-flexible panel that is more durable than traditional aluminum and glass models. Also, the junction box is waterproof and sealed for added convenience.
The unit also features a bendable panel that can be curved to a maximum 30-degree arc, which makes it ideal for mounting on an RV, truck, cabin, boat or any other irregular surface. Although it is lightweight at 4.7 pounds, the panel offers you 100 watts of power. This also makes it easier to transport, remove, and install.
Best For: Installation on an RV or irregular surface.
#5. ECO-WORTHY Portable Foldable Solar Panel Kit
Product at a Glance:
- Waterproof
- 40W
- Pre-wired for 12V battery charging
- Easy operation
- Corrosion-resistant
- Pre-installed 3A PWM solar charger controller
The ECO-WORTHY is a foldable solar panel kit that is an ideal choice if you one to move from one place to another. It features a suitcase-style design than comes with a strong handle for easy transportation and hanging. Once you have decided on a place to set up, you can then unfold the panels to capture solar energy.
Also, the unit features a durable build as well as strong legs and aluminum frame, which makes it ideal for outdoor use and a long life. Despite the sturdy design and build of the kickstand legs and aluminum frames, they are lightweight and do not add much to the overall weight of the unit
Best For: Ideal for hikers and campers
#6. LLC GP-PSK-120 Solar Kit
Product at a Glance:
- Quick and simple setup
- 120 Watts
- Built-in 10 amperes solar controller
- Durable
The LLC GP-PSK-120 Solar Kit offers you one of the best and most versatile battery charging options if you do not want to mount solar permanently. The unit features Anderson-style battery charging connectors which allow you to switch easily from one application to another.
This also makes it easier to transport, remove, and install. The lightweight unit gives you up to 100 watts of power under ideal weather conditions. Also, it features a durable built that will brave the harsh elements to give you an extended lifetime
Best For: Perfect for the boat or RV
#7. Renogy Portable Foldable Solar Panel
Product at a Glance:
- Two 100-Watt solar panels
- Adjustable
- 20A built-in 5-stage solar charge controller
- Temperature sensor
- Battery voltage sensor
- Protective casing.
The Renogy 200W offers you more power than the 100W solar panel but with the same portability. It uses two panels to provide an efficient charging option for your portable appliances. It features the same cells as the 100W Eclipse solar panel, which means you will get the highest efficiency Renogy has to offer.
Also, the unit features improvements on the leg adjustments, which now allow you to tighten, loosen, and angle the panels with more ease. It also comes with a voyager controller that allows you to monitor your system via an LCD screen and can be flush-mounted at an appropriate location.
#8. HQST Poly Solar Panel
Product at a Glance:
- 50 Watts
- Durable
- Fast and inexpensive mounting
- Polycrystalline cells
The HQST 50W poly polycrystalline solar panel is built to be as efficient as possible. This is achieved by installing an anti-reflective surface on top of the solar panel. Also, the unit is designed to have a surface that has high transparency and is low iron tempered to make sure that it is not only efficient in collecting sunlight, but also resistant to the elements.
The HQST 50 will give you the highest efficiency per space, which saves you on space and enhance its portability. It is in all purposes a fully self-powered off-grid power system that gives you the best output by reducing inefficiencies.
Best For: Portable applications
#9. Zamp Solar 120P Charge Kit
Product at a Glance:
- Designed to work well with dual 6 volt or 12-volt battery systems
- 30-40 amps per day
- Durable
- Easy to use
The Zamp 120P is the ideal choice for you if you enjoy travelling in your RV. It is an excellent investment if you live on the road and require a powerful and reliable source of power for your RV. It is a powerful device with the ability to generate up to 30-40 amperes of power each day.
Also, the solar charge kit is designed to be used together with dual 6-volt or a single 12-volt battery system, which can offer you quite the results. The unit also features SAE ports that can plug directly to a Zamp sidewall port, which makes it very easy to connect to your RV
Best For: Perfect for RVs
#10. Zamp Solar 160P Solar Portable Charge Kit
Product at a Glance:
- Kickstand legs
- Waterproof
- 160 Watts
- Solar charge controller
It is a perfect fit if you want a looking for a solid portable solar panel setup from a reputable brand. It is another model of Zamp’s Solar Charge Kits that offers you 160 watts of power at just the size that retains its portability. The unit is weatherproof and sturdy enough to brave extreme elements. It also comes with a zippered nylon case, which eases its transportation.
Also, the unit features kickstand legs that tilt up to 45 degrees, which gives you control of how you want to orient the panels. The system also has a solar charge controller, which allows you to view the status of your panels as well as their power output.
Best For: Outdoor camping
How to Choose The Best Portable Solar Panels for Home
The market has a wide selection of portable solar panels, and because of this, it might be confusing to decide which model you should buy. Therefore, we provide you with a buying guide that will help you discover the best portable solar panel that suits your budget and needs.
Technology
One of the important factors you should consider is the technology behind the solar panel. The best budget option is often monocrystalline panels. They are also durable and efficient. But if your budget allows it, then polycrystalline panels will be the choice for you. There are also thin-film panels that are the cheapest and least efficient. Your choice will be determined by your needs.
Design and Weight
You should also consider the portability of the solar panel. You should go for a solar panel that is easy to carry along. Briefcase or suitcases designs are a great option if you are looking for a portable solar panel as they are easy to carry.
Capacity
If you are to get a quality solar power system, then you should ensure it has sufficient capacity. The system should have a deep cycle battery since you will have to discharge and recharge it continuously. Your battery should be efficient enough to ensure it will not deplete when you store energy.
Durability
The small size of the portable solar panel does not mean that they should not be durable. They should be tough enough to handle outdoor use. You should look for a solar panel that can provide power but can also handle abuse.
Expandable Features
You should take into account your energy needs as you look for a portable solar panel. If possible, you can go for a system that can accommodate other additional solar panels, and battery. This might make the system heavy, but the increase in power compensates for it.
Conclusion
A portable solar panel can be an excellent investment. Whether you intend to use it outdoors or in the house, it will reduce your energy costs in the long run. Besides, in case of an emergency or experience power outages, then you can sustain meet your power demand. The review and buying guide should be able to help you find the best portable solar panel from the multitude out on the market.